War crimes: Verdict looms over four Moulvibazar men

The International Crimes Tribunal on Tuesday completed hearing a case filed against four Moulvibazar men for allegedly committing crimes against humanity during the Liberation War in 1971.

The three-member tribunal led by Justice Md Shahinur Islam kept the verdict pending after completing a hearing from both prosecution and defence counsels.

Of the four accused, former madrasa teacher Akmal Ali, 73, was present in court during the hearing.

The other three are on the run: Abdun Nur Talukder alias Lal Mian, Anis Mian and Abdul Mosabbir Mian.

According to the charges, the Pakistan occupation forces killed 59 villagers, set fire to their houses and looted people’s belongings, aided by the four men on May 7, 1971, in the district’s Rajnagar Upazila.

Suspected war criminals were put on trial after the government formed the tribunal. 

Most of those convicted of war crimes so far are from the Jamaat-e-Islami, which violently opposed Bangladesh’s independence.